Ophthalmic drug delivery device

Abstract

An ophthalmic drug delivery device having a first end and a second end, an injection port, a reservoir, and a sleeve is disclosed. The injection port is for sealingly engaging a needle of a syringe, which is for providing a fluid comprising a pharmaceutically active agent. The reservoir is disposed within the device, is fluidly coupled to the injection port, and has an opening for communicating the fluid to an outer surface of a sclera of an eye. The sleeve is for engaging the device proximate overlapping portions of the first end and the second end for forming a generally ring-shaped three-dimensional geometry upon implantation of the device on the outer surface of the sclera. The device is useful for the treatment of a disease of the posterior segment of the eye.

1. An ophthalmic drug delivery device, comprising:
 a first end and a second end; 
 an injection port for sealingly engaging a needle of a syringe, said syringe for providing a fluid comprising a pharmaceutically active agent; 
 a reservoir disposed within said device, fluidly coupled to said injection port, and having an opening for communicating said fluid to an outer surface of a sclera of an eye; and 
 a sleeve for engaging said device proximate overlapping portions of said first end and said second end for forming a generally ring-shaped three-dimensional geometry upon implantation of said device on said outer surface of said sclera. 
 
     
     
       2. The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 1  further comprising an anterior side, and wherein said injection port is disposed on said anterior side. 
     
     
       3. The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 1  further comprising a posterior side, and wherein said posterior side comprises a sharp exterior surface for piercing connective tissue that may encapsulate said device upon implantation on said outer surface of said sclera. 
     
     
       4. The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 1  wherein said reservoir comprises a plurality of said openings for communicating said fluid to said outer surface of said sclera. 
     
     
       5. The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 1  wherein said device delivers said pharmaceutically active agent through said sclera and a choroid into a retina of said eye. 
     
     
       6. The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein said device delivers said pharmaceutically active agent to substantially all of said retina. 
     
     
       7. The ophthalmic drug delivery device of  claim 5  wherein said device delivers said pharmaceutically active agent to a portion of said retina proximate said device.